From the Fremont Chamber Of Commerce original by-laws:
"Section 1: President. The President of the Board of Directors shall
supervise all activities of the corporation; execute all instruments in
its behalf with one other officer's signature on all correspondence,
making the attempt to secure a signature from a Vice President first
before getting one from the Secretary or Treasurer; preside at all
meetings of the board of Directors and of the membership as shall be deemed necessary, other than the annual meeting of the membership; and perform such other duties usually inherent in such office."

From the Fremont Chamber Of Commerce orientation materials: “The office of President while being the highest office to which a member of the Chamber may aspire - carries the least official duties besides that of being ultimately responsible for absolutely everything the Chamber does. Presidents are not required to be certifiably crazy, it just helps.”

What has defined the perfect President of the Fremont Chamber? Patience helped, as did diplomacy or a brilliant flash of ingenuity. Historically though, in order to address the unbelievable variety of challenges and changes that have afflicted fabulously funky Fremont over the years, nothing worked as well as having an excellent sense of humor.

It isn’t that we are such a lot of jokers here at the Chamber. Only the antics of past presidents have demonstrated an ability to laugh at ourselves often leads to our salvation.

The Selection Process

Marco Tubic (Edward Jones Investments) admits he felt “more drafted than volunteered” to the vaulted position of President for 2003/2004. Since the beginning, the Chamber Board has usually selected our head jester rather than waiting for a willing volunteer. At our first elections, in 1982, the founding members elected the person who arrived last.

Jim Daly (Daly’s Home Decorating/Daly’s Inc.) served us faithfully (and with endless amounts of good will) for four years before another, um, volunteer could be found. Marc Jones (Jones & Associates) took over and put in three years. From paint manufacturer to political consultant, the Chamber often made such dramatic yet seamless shifts in personnel.

The Balance of Power

The Board of Directors of the Chamber holds sway over the organization. The general membership votes for Board Members, while the Board recruits the officers – including president.

Our presidents have represented every sector of our diverse business district. The majority worked as professional service people like Phill Briscoe (AllState Insurance), George Heideman, AIA, and Russ Mead, Attorney At Law. We’ve also had manufacturers. Jim made paint, Kathy Moeller (CBM/Creative Chocolates) made chocolate and Mike Peck (Fremont Architectural Pottery) mostly made sinks. Melissa Hines (Empty Space Theatre) came to us with experience in non-profits. Pam Hinckley (Red Hook Brewery) remarkably brought a stronger focus on our shops and restaurants influenced by her friendship with retail queen, Charlotte Buchanan (GlamOrama).

Suzie (Groves) Burke (Fremont Dock Co.), served as our first female president in 1989 and Phill accepted the position in 1993, becoming our first president of color. As two of our most tireless and enthusiastic volunteers, it would be insulting to say they took the job to fulfill some perceived need for well-roundedness.

The Term of Office

Neither Suzie nor Phill dawdled in the office, serving one year each. Two years stands as the average term. Leaving office does not end involvement. Three of the 12 past presidents still hold Board or Officer positions, and another two remain active in our community. As Past President, Phill distinguished the office by following through on an unfinished task from his administration – a collaboration with the Fremont Arts Council. His diligence saw a light installed for nighttime visibility and safety over the Fremont Troll.

The Work Involved

Every President took on battles during his or her reign. Some brought in an issue they felt strongly about – such as George Heideman’s efforts to build a community center. Most had crusades thrust upon them. Pam struggled to purchase and erect the Fremont Rocket. Suzie started us on revitalization, while Mike finished it up. Jim interviewed candidates for executive secretary during his 1992 term, and Phill hired one in 1993. Erin Kohlenberg (Fremont Classic Pizzeria) then had the onerous task of hiring and training a replacement, and then another one. Marc struggled to build identity, and select an official logo, for the Chamber.

Most big projects lay at the toes of the Board for decision and deliberation. The President gets the much less impressive, much more minute bits of business stacked on his or her head.

The President puts a face on the Chamber – and often gets a pie in his or her kisser if he or she lacks good reflexes. Squabbles broke out among grown adults over staffing for the Chamber’s Fremont Fair booth. Calls came in demanding ‘donations’ from each of our members to pay for a health clinic in Wallingford. Snow fell on the day of the Chamber meeting not once, not twice, not three times but for a fourth – in April. Fighting rumors – true or not – on everything from a beloved business being evicted to City plans to close a major thoroughfare. Think up a pithy, positive and politic quote on the spur of the moment when a reporter calls asking, “What is wrong with Fremont now?”

The Rewards

It is not a thankless job. Many thanks pour in to those strong souls that shoulder the mantle of responsibility - an un-paid, volunteer position lacking both prestige and power. Marco spoke of his efforts to “try to find some common ground” among the diverse opinions, personalities and needs he encountered as president. Honestly though, he’d “rather deal with people’s passion for issues and their opinions I might not agree with than their non-involvement or people totally detached.”

We welcome everyone to the Chamber, especially those with enthusiasm to improve our vital and vibrant community. And if you hear the call to work up through our ranks to President, we do not ask you be the best and the brightest. Only that you hang tight to your sense of humor.

The List of Acclaim

1982 W. James Daly, Daly’s Home Decorating
1983 W. James Daly, Daly’s Home Decorating
1984 W. James Daly, Daly’s Home Decorating
1985 W. James Daly, Daly’s Home Decorating
1986 Marc Jones, Jones & Associates
1987 Marc Jones, Jones & Associates
1988 Marc Jones, Jones & Associates
1989 Suzie (Groves) Burke, Fremont Dock Company
1990 Mike Peck, Fremont Architectural Pottery
1991 Mike Peck, Fremont Architectural Pottery
1992 W. James Daly, Daly’s Inc.
1993 Phill Briscoe, AllState Insurance
1994 Pam Hinckley, Red Hook Brewery
1995 Kathy Moeller, CBM/Creative Chocolates
1996 Kathy Moeller, CBM/Creative Chocolates
1997 Melissa Hines, The Empty Space Theatre
1998 Erin Kohlenberg, Fremont Classic Pizzeria
1999 Erin Kohlenberg, Fremont Classic Pizzeria
2000 George Heideman, Architect
2001 George Heideman, Architect
2002 Russ Mead, Attorney At Law
2003 Marco Tubic, Edward Jones Investments
2004 Marco Tubic, Edward Jones Investments